An excellent discussion on #firstrobotics regarding Vex and the future of the US

[sanddrag]

I just concluded a very good discussion with a few other FIRSTers on Vex and the future of the United States in general. We face a very real threat here, and it is not terrorism. Please read the linked file and post your comments.

EDIT: And here's where you can access this chat channel from most any java enabled web browser http://www.nonnebots.com/chat/

[JamesBrown]

I believe you are completely incorrect in saying that FIRST went about it all wrong. You have to remember that FIRST is a Non-profit organiztion, they cannot take a big risk like starting 30 VEX regionals (or even 15) and run the risk of loosing money. YOu have to look at the big picture , Would you rather risk losing VEX or risk having to pay an extra 500 dollars a regional next year to eat the losses vex caused?

[irishninja]

Maybe this is just me, but I'd rather run the risk of the 500 dollars. And I'm not from one those teams that has a lot of money. Vex is just that important.

[Nuttyman54]

Originally Posted by JamesBrown

I believe you are completely incorrect in saying that FIRST went about it all wrong. You have to remember that FIRST is a Non-profit organiztion, they cannot take a big risk like starting 30 VEX regionals (or even 15) and run the risk of loosing money. YOu have to look at the big picture , Would you rather risk losing VEX or risk having to pay an extra 500 dollars a regional next year to eat the losses vex caused?

which is why they got RadioShack to back it. And it backfired, because RS is discontinuing it, because it's not selling well, because (just like FIRST) it takes time to catch on.

[devicenull]

I would really like to invite everyone there. While your opinion of chat rooms may be low, I think you will find #firstrobotics to be a lot like CD... lots of mature conversations going on.

[codeoftherobot]

What's sad is that VEX was a perfect program for predominantly lower to middle income populations and their associated school districts. I hate to say it but FIRST Robotics Competition is really a competition for the wealthy. Granted, there are quite a few teams out there that have pushed themselves from difficult situations but the cheapness of VEX made for the possibility of any school joining, not just those that could fork over $6000 in one check.

If what everyone is saying is correct and VEX is being discontinued, the work I had been doing with a few other university professors at my university will just have been wasted. We had between 12-14 teams in our local area signing up (with plenty more schools in the city) and authorization from the university to host an unofficial VEX regional. The city where we are located is not predominantly wealthy nor would it have the financial resources to sustain 12-14 FRC teams and that was the reason why VEX made sense. The resources of the school (large endowment) made it possible for the university to donate a VEX kit to every single elementary and high school in the area, allowing for many more students to participate compared to participation of students in entire states in FRC.

FIRST should reconsider any cancellation of VEX and their partnership with Radioshack. Like when FRC first started, VEX should be given the same chance to grow. All elementary, middle and high schoolers should be allowed the chance to participate in this program.

[Billfred]

Originally Posted by codeoftherobot

FIRST should reconsider any cancellation of VEX and their partnership with Radioshack. Like when FRC first started, VEX should be given the same chance to grow. All elementary, middle and high schoolers should be allowed the chance to participate in this program.

I still want to know: Is Vex really cancelled, or is this still hearsay?

Until I see a press release, the removal of all mentions of Vex from RadioShack's stores and website, or JVN at my front door telling me otherwise, I'm still not sold on this being any more than just RadioShack trying to move inventory out during the summer.

[codeoftherobot]

Originally Posted by Billfred

I still want to know: Is Vex really cancelled, or is this still hearsay?

Until I see a press release, the removal of all mentions of Vex from RadioShack's stores and website, or JVN at my front door telling me otherwise, I'm still not sold on this being any more than just RadioShack trying to move inventory out during the summer.

I'm seriously hoping that it's not discontinuing. If it is nothing more than inventory processing, that would be excellent. There are a lot of teams in this area that are getting geared up for VEX and wanting mentors from our university.

[Gdeaver]

It's funny to watch speculation grow. From VEX going on sale and being a great deal to todays statements that VEX is dead. He said she said and on and on.

[Nuttyman54]

I would like to remind everyone that NO ONE to my knowledge, has said that the VEX challenge is being discontinued. What HAS been said is that RadioShack will no longer be carrying VEX products, and even that has not been confirmed. VEXLABS (a subsection of IFI), while it is not offering a discount, DOES still carry VEX products.

[irishninja]

http://www.vexlabs.com/
Looks like its continuing (whew what a relief), but not at RS. And this is regular priced.

[Lil' Lavery]

Blame should not be placed entirely on FIRST or Radioshack for this. While both could have done better jobs at marketing VEX, niether did a bad job. FRC did not explode at first either. For a second year competition to have over 200 teams is a HUGE acheivment. FRC took several years to get anywhere close to that mark.
Do you honestly think FRC could have grown to anything near its current size without the advertisement and outreach done by the teams themselves? With the relatively small number of FVC teams, it is impossible to think that those FVC teams could advertise as well at the 5x as many FRC teams. But even with that numerical disadvantage, FVC's growth has been much much higher than FRC's during it's baby years.

[Francis-134]

While the possible discontinuation of VEX at RadioShack is unfortunate, I would have to say that the FVC program is looking rather bright at this point. Going from just fifty pilot teams at the championship to over two-hundred in what is essentially less than one year is really cool. While I am going out on a limb here, I am guessing that not a lot of these teams were attracted simply by the fact that they found the Vex kits at Radioshack. More than likely, teams which have an FRC team or have always wanted one, but simply couldn't afford it found this program through FIRST.

While this may be a setback as far as bringing FIRST into the mainstream, I believe that the FVC program will continue to grow at a reasonable rate for some time.

[sanddrag]

The problem is, just like not every high school has FRC, not every school will have FVC. RadioShack had (and still has) the potential to allow tons of kids to have VEX just like they have Legos.

[Stuey83]

Here's a thought: until now, vex products could only be sold at radio shack. Perhaps RS is discounting the products because their exclusive selling rights contract is going to expire.

Since RS is the "exclusive" retailer, and they might be towards the end of the deal, perhaps other retailers will soon be allowed to offer the vex kits.